Having a baby girl and looking for an old-fashioned baby name with a cute nickname? Good news: a ton of old-fashioned girl names lend themselves to cute nicknames. Here are dozens of ideas to get your search started.
Adele—Award-winning British singer Adele has breathed fresh life back into this old saint's name. Cute, retro nicknames include Addie and Dell.
Adella—All the retro charm of Adele, with the popular -ella ending. Nicknames: Addie, Adele, Della, Dell.
Agatha—For some, this name brings to mind St. Agatha of Sicility. For others, it's the first name of one of the world's most prolific mystery novelists. The most logical nickname: Aggie.
Agnes—The name of several Catholic saints, this old-school name might hold appeal for the parent with a religious or historic bent. Shares a nickname with Agatha (Aggie).
Alfreda—This old-school name has an element of earthy magic to it, courtesy of the "alf" prefix which is related to the Old English word ælf and the Old Norse word alfr, both meaning "elf". Nicknames you could consider: Alfie, Allie, Freda, Freya, or even Freddie.
Alice—This one has a dazzling literary pedigree via Alice in Wonderland and authors Walker, Hoffman, Munro, Feeney and McDermott; royal cred via a couple of 19th century British princesses; and a number of cute nicknames including Ally/Allie and Lissy/Lissie.
Althea—A variation of the Greek name Althaea, this vintage name is thought to have its roots in the Greek word althos, meaning "healing". Add in a beautiful nickname (Thea), and there's a lot to love about this one.
Alvina—An underused vintage name with an entire raft of cute nickname possibilities (Allie, Alvie, Vina, Vinnie...).
Alyce—A variation of Alice. Nicknames include Ally/Allie and Lissy/Lissie.
Arlene—Arlene, or Arleen, had a distinguished career in Old Hollywood, with several Golden Age stars wearing the name with pride (Arlene Dahl, Arlene Francis, Arlene Harris, Arleen Sorkin, Arleen Whelan...). Nickname possibilities include Arlie and Lene.
Augusta—You'd be hard-pressed to find a girls' name that screams "old lady" more than Augusta. We wonder if that has something to do with the numerous fictional old ladies created by some of the world's greatest novelists (Oscar Wilde's Augusta Bracknell, J.K. Rowling's Augusta Longbottom, Graham Greene's Aunt Augusta). The best thing about this oldie? The adorable nickname Auggie!
Aurelia—This elegant, old-fashioned boasts two cute nicknames: Aurie and Lia. But if that's not enough to persuade you, there's the meaning: Aurelia has its roots in the Latin word 'aureus', meaning 'golden'.
Beatrice—This old-school name has many great qualities: a sophisticated sound, a touch of royal elegance via Princess Beatrice, and a number of appealing vintage nicknames including Bea, Betty and Tris.
Bernadine—A frilly "old lady" name with a lot of nickname possibilities, ranging from gender-neutral Bernie to retro Betty to nature-inspired Birdie.
Bernice—This biblical girl name has been in hibernation for a while now, and we don't see it catching on anytime soon. Nicknames include Bernie, Betty and Birdie.
Berniece—A spelling variation of Bernice (see above).
Beryl—This oldie combines British charm with the fruity nickname Berri/Berry/Berrie.
Bessie—Once a hugely popular girl's name, today mostly heard on cows. Bess is the go-to nickname.
Bethel—This biblical name gained some traction in the late 1910s and early 1920s, but has never made it to the top of baby name charts. The short form Beth, on the other hand, was a popular choice in the 1960s.
Bettie—In itself a nickname for Elizabeth, Bettie doesn't need a casual form, but if you insist on having one, you could go with Bette (pronounced bet, as in Bette Midler).
Bonita—This one means "pretty" or "cute" in Spanish and Portuguese. The most obvious nickname would be Bonnie, but you could also use Nita.
Brenda—This girl's name had a good run in the 20th century but has since bowed out. Nickname possibilities include Bree and Bren.
Carmela—An Italian-flavored appellation with a range of nickname possibilities, including Cari, Carmie, Carma, Mella, Melly, and Ella.
Carmella—Another way to spell Carmela (see above).
Carolyn—Time was, Caroline was all the rage, but something happened, and Caroline took over. So, if you like the sound of Caroline but find it a bit too popular, the mid-century Carolyn might be just perfect. Nickname options: Caro, Carrie, Callie, Carole, Carol and Carly.
Cathy—A mid-century fave with a nickname-y vibe and a literary lilt via Cathy Linton, a character in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. If you absolutely need to shorten Cathy further, try Cat.
Cecile—If you're of French descent or just love French culture, this vintage name might be perfect for your little mademoiselle. Possible nicknames: Ceci, Cece, Sissie/Sissy.
Celestine—A retro name with celestial overtones and great nickname potential (Celeste, Cece, Cissy/Sissy, Essie).
Charline—Another French belle with vintage charm to spare. Added attraction: the cute built-in nickname Charlie.
Claudette—If Claudette Colbert of Hollywood's Golden Age is the only notable person that springs to mind when you hear the name Claudette, then you might want to dig a little deeper: There's also civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin, R&B star Claudette Ortiz, and singer-songwriter Claudette Rogers Robinson who was a member of American American rhythm and blues band The Miracles from 1957 to 1972. As for the nicknames, you could do Claudie or Clau, or even Ettie.
Clemmie—Okay, Clemmie already has that nickname-y vibe, but if you really need to shorten it further, you could do Clem.
Clementine—A charming comeback name with nickname possibilities ranging from the modern Clem and the retro Clemmie.
Concetta—Moderately popular in the early decades of the 20th century, this old-school Italian name with the built-in nickname Connie has all but vanished from the modern American baby naming lexicon.
Constance—Its somewhat dusty image might catch you off guard at first, but if you manage to shake off the dust and look at Constance with fresh eyes, you might see a sophisticated name drenched in history. The short form Connie may or may not appeal.
Cordelia—A long and elegant old-school name with an appealing meaning ("heart"), Shakespearean clout, and many nicknames to choose from (Cordie, Coco, Cory, Delia, Deli, Del, Lia). Parents who are drawn to names like Ophelia and Amelia might find this underappreciated beauty particularly appealing.
Cornelia—A currently overlooked girl's name at the peak of its popularity in the first half of the 20th century. If the nickname Cornie doesn't appeal, there's also Nelia and Nellie.
Darleen—A variation of Darlene (see below).
Darlene—Short forms for Darlene abound, from Darla, Darly and Dar to Lena and Lene.
Delia—Equal parts traditional and modern. Nicknames include Deli, Dell, and Lia.
Della—A cute to-the-point name with a vintage edge. You definitely don't need a nickname for a name as short as Della, but if you absolutely want one, you could simply use Dell.
Delma—An all-but-lost moniker with a vintage vibe and an appealing, straightforward nickname (Delle).
Delois—This name lacks modern cool, but it does have some cultural cred via the late gospel diva Delois Barrett Campbell. Plus, it comes with a whole range of nicknames, ranging from retro Delle to trim Dee to sweet Lois.
Delores—A variation of Dolores.
Deloris—Yet another variation of Dolores.
Delphine—A French charmer with a lot of sweet nicknames including Del, Delphy, Della and Fifi.
Diane—If you pick this one, your daughter will have a lot of inspiring namesakes to look up to as she grows up: Diane Kruger, Diane Warren, Diane Lane, Diane Keaton... The most popular short form? Di.
Diann—A variation of Diane (see above).
Dianne—Yet another spelling variation of Diane.
Dinah—A biblical charmer with a super short nickname (Di).
Dixie—You definitely don't need to shorten this sprightly retro moniker, but if you absolutely want to, you could try Dee.
Dolores—An old-fashioned Spanish girl name with Catholic overtones. Dolly makes a distinctive nickname!
Doreen—Definitely checks the "old lady" box in today's naming climate. Nicknames include Reeny, Dori, Dee and Dora.
Doretha—A lesser-known variation of Dorothy (see below).
Dorothea—Saintly and elegant, yet friendly and approachable thanks to the adorable short form Thea.
Dorothy—An underappreciated vintage gem to some ears, a dusty bygone appellation to others. Nickname possibilities: Dolly, Dora, Dot, and Dottie/Dotty.
Dottie—One of the many short old-fashioned names ending in -ie, Dottie is already a short form. But if you feel like you need to shorten it even further, you can always go with the pared-down Dot.
Earlene—(or Earline). Both Earlene and the short form Earlie have been out to pasture for a while now. Are they ever going to find favor again? No one knows...
Earnestine—This one has been out of commission for a while now, and you're not likely to meet a baby Earnestine anytime soon. Possible nicknames: Ernie, Nessie/Nessy, Tina, and Teenie.
Edith—Edith Wharton? Edith Piaf? Saint Edith? Notable namesakes abound if pick this retro name for your daughter. Bonus points for the cute nickname Edie.
Edwina—The best thing about this relic of a name? The retro nickname Winnie!
Eileen—A beautiful vintage name with an Irish vibe and appealing nickname possibilities which include Isla/Eila, Lina, Leenie, and Lee.
Elaine—This elegant name works beautifully without a nickname, but if you really want to pair Elaine with a nickname, you could do Laine or Lainey, or go with the gender-bending Eli.
Eleanor—(or Eleanora). Hollywood's Golden Age stars Eleanor Parker, Eleanor Powell, Eleanor Boardman and Eleanor Audley lend this gorgeous name some old-school silver screen glamour, while Eleanor Roosevelt gives it a presidential edge. Possible nicknames: Elle, Ellie, Ella, and Nora.
Ellie—Today, you're way more likely to hear this beautiful comeback name in the playground than a nursing home, but it does still carry a certain vintage charm. The go-to short form: Elle.
Ellen—Choose this, and your little one will have a ton of notable namesakes: Ellen Barkin, Ellen Pompeo, Ellen DeGeneres, Ellen Burstyn, Ellen Lewis Herndon Arthur... Possible short forms: Elle and Ellie.
Elouise—On the right side of old-school! Possible nicknames: Elle, Ellie, Louise, and Lulu.
Elsie—Another El- name with the retro -ie ending and the stylish nickname Elle.
Elvira—A popular name among European royals during the Middle Ages, Elvira still sounds a bit medieval, don't you think? The nickname Ellie makes it more wearable for a modern girl.
Ernestine—An old-fangled name with equally dowdy short forms (sorry, Erna, Ernie and Essie).
Estella—An elegant vintage name with a number of good nicknames like Estie, Stella and Ella.
Estelle—A variation of Estella with a royal link (Estelle is the eldest child of Princess Victoria of Sweden) and cool-girl nickname Elle.
Esther—This biblical girl's name is rapidly shedding its "old lady" image, but the short forms Estie and Essie still carry a proper "grandma" vibe.
Ethel—Ethel is an Old Hollywood and Broadway darling, borne by 20th-century stars Barrymore, Merman, Clayton and Waters. Nickname possibilities: Elle and Ettie.
Eugenia—Steeped in history, this neglected name is waiting for some intrepid moms and dads to bring it back to the playgrounds. Short forms include: Eug, Eugi, Gena, Gene, Genia, Genie, and Gena.
Eulalia—A Catholic saint's name bursting with nickname options (Eulie, Eula, Lalia, Lalie, Layla and Lia...).
Euphemia—A Catholic saint's name with a fairly antiquated image but a cute nickname (Effie).
Filomena—As so many other names and words with the Filo- (or Philo-) prefix, there's the association with the ancient Greek word "Philo", meaning "loving". How beautiful is that! As for the nicknames, a girl called Filomena could go by Fila, Filly, Lo, Menna or Mennie.
Flora—Trying to find an old-school girls' name with a nature twist and a cute nickname? You could put the beautiful nature-inspired name Flora on the birth certificate, and then call your daughter Flor for short.
Florence—Calls to mind the English indie rock band Florence and the Machine, as well as the capital of Italy's Tuscany region. Nickname options include Flor, Flora and Florrie.
Frances—An Old Hollywood powerhouse, worn by Golden Age stars Dee, Farmer, Drake and Langford. Frances Cleveland gives the name a presidential edge. Nicknames include Fran, Franny, and Frankie.
Garnet—An old-fashioned gemstone-inspired name with the sweet vintage nickname Nettie.
Geneva—This 1920s' favorite could be a good place-inspired pick for those with a special connection to the Swiss city of the same name. Genna, Neva, or Genie could work as a nickname.
Genevieve—This one has a patently French vibe, Catholic bona fides (thanks to Saint Genevieve), and it offers a variety of cute nickname options including Genie, Genna, Viv, and Vivi/Vivvie.
Georgiana—(or Georgianna). A long, ornate name with two great short forms: Georgie and Anna.
Geraldine—A French name with vintage flair and a somewhat dusty nickname (Gerrie).
Gertrude—A terribly old-sounding name that few of us are brave enough to use, and the nickname options—Gert, Gertie and Trudy—sound equally dated.
Golda—This vintage find has a dazzling meaning, plus it comes with the dazzling nickname Goldie.
Gwendolyn—Considered too dated and unwieldy not too long ago, Gwendolyn has entered the realm of possibility. Possible nicknames include Gwen, Wendy, Dolly, and Lynn—to mention a few.
Harriet—Looking for a path to the sweet (and popular) vintage nickname Hattie? Harriet (or Harriett) would do the trick.
Henrietta—Another name that lends itself to Hattie as a nickname.
Hester—Sure, this name sounds pretty clunky to contemporary ears—but so did now-stylish Esther not too long ago. The most obvious nickname would probably be Hettie could be a nickname.
Irene—This old name has a lot to offer: a beautiful meaning ("peace"), religious gravitas via several Catholic saints called Irene, plenty of Old Hollywood shine thanks to Golden Age stars Irene Dunne, Irene Hervey and Irene Rich, and last but not least, the cute nickname Ree.
Joan—(or Joanne). Sure, Joan has a bit of a dusty image. But if you manage to see past that image and take the time to appreciate its original charm, you might see a beautiful old-fashioned name with deep roots, plenty of cultural cred, and the always on-trend nickname Jo.
Josephine—If you're looking for a path to the cute nickname Josie, how about Josephine?
Joyce—Another old-school name that shortens to Jo. And Joy works, too!
Judith—This one packs a biblical punch and comes with the retro-cool nickname Judy.
Kathleen—The beautiful Kathleen has Irish roots, literary cred, and a wealth of nickname options (Kat, Kathy, Kate, Katie, etc).
Laverne—Both Laverne and its short form Verna remain firmly in grandma territory.
Lavinia—An old, underused name with a ton of literary cred and a cute vintage nickname (Vinnie).
Lenora—A beautiful vintage possibility for those who like the nickname Nora.
Leona—A mellifluous moniker with a bunch of nickname possibilities such as Leo, Lea and Ona.
Leonora—This is just the kind old-fashioned name that we could easily see shifting from fusty to fashionable. Nickname options range from the popular Nora to the boyish Leo.
Lizzie—Lizzie is already a nickname (for names like Elizabeth and Annelise), but if you like the idea of using Lizzie as the formal name for your baby girl, you could use Liz as a nickname.
Loretta—If you're looking for a route to the vintage nickname Lottie but are not a fan of Charlotte, Loretta could be an option. Other nicknames for Loretta include Lori and Retta.
Lorraine—This one combines a sophisticated French vibe with fetching nickname options (Raine, Lora, Lorie).
Louise—An old-fashioned girl's name that's starting to feel fresh again but that's still very much rooted in tradition. And of course Lou is one of the cutest nicknames ever!
Lucille—(or Lucile). A retro path to the cute nickname Lucy.
Luella—(Or Louella). A compelling retro moniker that offers two sweet vintage nicknames: Lou and Ella.
Mabel—If you're in love with the beautiful Mae but want something more formal for the birth certificate, Mabel could be just the thing.
Magdalene—This biblical throwback comes complete with the retro nickname Magda.
Mamie—A perfectly reasonable choice for a daughter in the 1920s and 30s, Mamie hasn't managed to regain its panache, even though it offers two great nicknames: Mae and Mimi.
Marcella—An irrevocably dated name to one person; an overlooked vintage gem to another. Nicknames include Marcie and Cella.
Margaret—A classic grounded in history. Traditional nicknames for Margaret include Maggie, Marge, Meg, Peggy, Mags, Daisy, Margo and Maisie.
Marguerite—A floral take on Margaret.
Marianne—Mari, Anne, Annie... Take your pick!
Marietta—Marietta was a well-established but not overly popular choice in the first half the 20th century. Fast forward to today, and you rarely meet a baby named Marietta. Time to bring back the Mariettas (or the little Mettas and Ettas)!
Marilyn—An old Hollywood darling with solid nickname options (Mari, Mar, Lynn...).
Marlene—This cross-cultural winner combines old-school charm with an international flavor and the cute nickname Marlie.
Marlys—Nickname possibilities include Mar, Lyse, and Marlie.
Matilda—Matilda used to have a definite old lady vibe, but it's become so popular in the recent past that it barely barely passes muster as "vintage" today. The nickname Tilda, however, still carries a unmistakably retro vibe.
Mavis—The sweet Mavis has returned triumphantly, with hundreds of new parents falling in love with its throwback charm and ready-made nickname Maeve.
Maxine—A strong but not pompous retro choice. As for the nicknames, you could go with the traditional Maxie, or try to unisex Max.
Melva—A very uncommon but pretty name with true vintage appeal and the always up-to-date nickname Mel.
Mildred—Likely a too musty and fusty for the average baby namer, but it does have one thing going for it: the super sweet (and popular) vintage nickname Millie.
Millicent—Another way to get to Millie!
Nelda—Need a path to the beautiful vintage nickname Nellie? Nelda could be a great, unexpected option with a genuine vintage feel.
Nellie—One of the many short old-fashioned names ending in -ie, Nellie is already an abbreviated form. But if you feel like you need to shorten it even further, try Nell.
Novella—An early twentieth-century wonder with a literary connection and a couple of great nicknames, including Nova and Ella.
Odessa—This one is loaded with feminine vintage charm, plus it boasts some really cute retro nicknames (think Odie, Dess, Dessa...).
Olive—A pretty vintage name that take its inspiration from a tree that doubles as a symbol of peace. And the cute nickname Ollie doesn't hurt, either.
Ophelia—A beautiful comeback name with a couple of cute nicknames such as Opie and Lia.
Patricia—Ubiquitous in mid-century America. Nicknames include Pat, Patti, Tricia and Tris (or Triss).
Paulette—A French-infused appellation that can be contracted to Lettie—in case you're not interested in using Paulie or Polly.
Rosalie—A vintage stunner with a nice selection of nicknames (Rosa, Rose, Rosie, and Lee...)
Roseann—Despite offering a number of great classic nicknames, including Rose, Rosa, Rosie and Ann, this mid-century moniker hasn't managed to find favor with the new generation of moms and dads.
Rosella—The currently neglected Rosella is chock-full of cute nickname possibilities: Rose, Rosie, Sella, Ella...
Rosemarie—Rosemary with a French twist. Short forms include Rose, Rosie and Marie.
Rosemary—Rosemary was at the peak of its popularity in first half of the 20th century, which gives it that distinct vintage vibe, but even after that, it never completely lost its appeal as a baby name. Its most common short forms—Rose, Rosie and Mary—are classics, too.
Rosetta—This rose-tinted vintage name has never been particularly popular, but is today almost unused. Rose, Rosie and Etta are all possible nicknames for the pretty Rosetta.
Rosina—If you're looking for a vintage rarity that can be shortened to Rose or Rosie, Rosina could be quite the find.
Rowena—With deep literary underpinnings, the cute short form Ro, and a ton of retro charm, this name should be a no-brainer. Yet, poor Rowena is struggling to make a comeback.
Ruth—From the late 1800s until the end of 1920s, this biblical name was a Top 10 name for baby girls born in America. Clocking in at just one syllable and four letters, Ruth doesn't have a short form, but it's associated with the sweet diminutive Ruthie.
Sammie—A sweet and sassy retro name that's basically already nickname, but if you feel like you need to shorten it even further, you can always go with Sam.
Susan—Both Susan and its short form Sue give off strong mid-century vibes.
Theodora—Strong, saintly, and complete with cute nicknames Thea and Dora.
Verona—Verona combines old-school charm with place name appeal and Shakespearean cachet. Vera would be a good nickname; Rona not so much.
Vincenza—A blast-from-the-past with saintly roots and an Italian vibe.
Viola—A cute old-fashioned name that works well in many different languages. Possible nicknames: Vi and Vivi, and perhaps even Lola.
Violette—A romantic appellation, with short and sweet nicknames Vi and Vivi.
Wilhelmina—We bet this Germanic name is going to make a comeback, sooner or later.
Winifred—A strong, old-fashioned name with two vintage nickname options: the popular Winnie and the boyish Freddie.
Winnie—Winnie is already a nickname, but if you want to use it the formal name for your baby girl, Winn (or Wynn) could be the nickname.
Winona—If you're looking for a formal name that can be shortened to Winnie but Winifred isn't quite your style, try Winona!